Restoring Independence: How Centra Helped Edmonton’s Brodziak Family

Some projects go beyond improving a home – they change how someone is able to live in it.

Centra Install Pros is known for our high-performance windows and doors, but the company is also one that truly believes in giving back to our communities. In a recent Centra Cares initiative, our team had the opportunity to support the Brodziak family in Alberta with a custom solution designed to restore accessibility, independence, and a sense of normalcy after a life-altering event.

A Sudden Change for the Brodziak Family

Ryan Brodziak’s story is one that deeply impacted his community.

While out for a walk in his neighbourhood with his infant son Ozzy and their dog, the family was hit by a car, leaving both him and his child seriously injured. Ryan suffered a significant spinal cord injury, and his recovery journey remains complex and ongoing. His son, thankfully, began healing soon after, but the road forward for the family has been anything but easy.

In an instant, everyday routines became major challenges. For Ryan, maintaining independence and continuing essential rehabilitation would require significant changes to how he accessed his home.

A Simple Change That Made a Life-Changing Difference

One of the biggest barriers was something many homeowners never think twice about: access. Ryan needed a way to safely and easily enter and exit his home and use an accessible vehicle.

That’s where Centra stepped in.

Our team designed, manufactured, and installed a brand-new, accessible door – converting a garage window into a functional entry point. It’s a relatively simple structural change, but one with a profound impact.

With this new access point, Ryan can now:

• Safely use his accessible vehicle for appointments and physiotherapy
• Move in and out of his home with greater ease
• Regain a level of independence during recovery

It’s the kind of upgrade that is about improving quality of life as opposed to just aesthetics or resale value.

Why We Take on Projects Like This

This project was an extension of our Centra Cares Home Renovation Contest, which is rooted in giving back to the communities we serve and helping those who need it most.

While our annual Home Renovation Contest typically focuses on one full-home transformation, stories like Ryan’s remind us that sometimes the most meaningful impact comes from addressing one specific, urgent need. So this time, in addition to our regular home renovation, we decided to help the Brodziak family as well.

As a 100% Employee Owned company, our team takes these opportunities personally. Every member of Centra has a stake not just in the work we do, but in the difference that work makes for families.

And because we handle everything in-house – from manufacturing to installation – we’re able to step in quickly and deliver solutions tailored to real-life challenges.

More Than a Door

What we installed for the Brodziak family wasn’t just a door. It created access where there was none and removed a daily obstacle, as well as giving Ryan something incredibly important during a difficult recovery: more independence.

These are the moments that define Centra. We don’t just improve homes – we help people live better in them.

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Have an upcoming window and door project? Reach out to the experts for a free consultation! If you have any questions regarding this topic or anything else to do with windows, contact a local Centra Employee Owner at 1-888-534-3333 or drop us an email at info@centra.ca. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram to stay up to date, and test your window knowledge on LinkedIn.